John Wilson

John Wilson, "Uncle Jackey" was born circa 1786 (aged 63 in 1850), aged 66 years, 7 months, 13 days at the time of his death on December 31, 1852 (tombstone in the Pulaski Cemetery, Hancock County, Illinois). I believe that he is the John Wilson named in the will of David Wilson (will written May 8, 1821) in Harrison County, Kentucky as indicated by the Bourbon County Kentucky Deed U:86 (September 11, 1826). John and Margaret Wilson of Grant County, Kentucky, deed to John Ewalt of Bourbon County for $400....land in Bourbon County on the south fork of the Licking River and on Townsend Creek....John and Margaret do covenant that they "lawfully possessed" (this land) on an "indefeasible ester of inheritance".  (Ack September 11, 1826 in Harrison County, Kentucky.) David Wilson's land was on Townsend Creek, partly in Bourbon and partly in Harrison Counties.

John Wilson married first September 14, 1808 Salley Anderson in Bourbon County, Kentucky and then Harrison County, Kentucky Record Book (D:468) notes that John Wilson had been appointed guardian to Lucy Wilson, Betsy Wilson, David Wilson and John Wilson - infant children of the said John Wilson and Sally Wilson deceased, lately Sally Anderson late his wife, dated August 1827. This is the only record I have found listing the children of this couple; perhaps an Anderson relative had died and the children were to receive property, or more likely, I this this guardianship was established because John Wilson and his second wife, Margaret Hiler, were leaving the state or were already in Illinois (they had a daughter born in Illinois circa 1827). John and Sally Anderson Wilson may be the young couple listed in the 1810 Bourbon County, Kentucky census with one son under the age of ten. If so, that young son had died by 1827, since the two sons mentioned in the above guardianship record were born circa 1817 and circa 1818. There is no John Wilson on the 1810 Harrison County, Kentucky census.

I believe that this John Wilson married Margaret Hiler on February 17, 1819 in Gallatin County, Kentucky. The Hilers are also from the Gallatin-Grant County area. At least one of John Wilson's brothers, James Wilson, also lived in Gallatin County at the time. The Grant County, Kentucky Deeds (A:391) notes that the Johnson heirs sold 50 acres to Joseph Holliday, and then Holliday had sold it to John Wilson on February 26, 1814, and then John Wilson had purchased 86 acres from the Johnson heirs, totaling 136 acres. John Wilson "of Grant County" on March 17, 1826 purchased acreage from the Johnson heirs and sold it on September 1, 1826. John and Margaret being simply "of Kentucky" at the time. They sold their 136 acres to Sarah Arnold of Gallatin County for $550 - 136 acres in Grant County bordering on David Hiler, Robert Moore and Joseph Holliday. The deed was acknowledged by John and Margaret on September 2, 1826 (A:403) and I believe they left for Illinois shortly after this deed was recorded. Based on these deeds, the land described was in the far northwest corner of Grant County on the border with Gallatin in the "Ford's Mill district" (Hutzelman: Atlas of Grant County, Kentucky, 1858). Thus I believe this John Wilson to be the man listed on the 1820 Grant County census with a male and female aged 26-45 (1775-1794 which would be John and Margaret); a female aged 16-26 (1794-1804 - this person is not identified), and two males/two females under ten would be Lucy, Betsy, David and John A. - the four children of Sally Anderson, the first wife.

By 1830, the family of John Wilson and that of his brother James and Bridget Custer Wilson are on the census for Morgan County, Illinois. John's family listing is one male born 1780-1790; one female born 1790-1800 (2nd wife, Margaret Hiler was born circa 1797). Two males aged 20-30 (1800-1810) (perhaps field hands or laborers?), two males aged 10-15 (1815---two would be David and John. Two females are 5-10 (1820-1825) - one is daughter America, the other is as yet unidentified). One male/one female (1825-1830): Sarah Ann and William M. Also in the 1830 census index, seven households away from John Wilson is the family of Hiram and Lucy Wilson Elliston, Lucy being John Wilson's oldest daughter by his first wife Sally Anderson. John and Margaret Hiler Wilson's family do not seem to be on the 1835 Morgan County Illinois state census so they had apparently already removed to Adams County, Illinois, where in 1840 John Wilson is listed one household away from Hiram Elliston and close to John and Jeptha Hiler, perhaps relatives of John Wife. (Hancock County, Illinois deeds B:525 - October 15, 1836 John Wilson and Margaret his wife of Adams County, Illinois deeded two town lots in Cathage, Hancock to George A. Charles).

John and Margaret Hiler Wilson are listed on the 1850 census for Northeast Twp., Adams County, Illinois with children, William, Cornelius, Margaret, and James Wilson (in that order) and then also living in the household next, is Mary J. Hiler and finally David Wilson both aged 18 years. The presence of 180year-old David Wilson is the one "problem" in this family identification, since John Wilson already had a son David in 1817, who was married by 1850 and still living. et this 18-year-old David Wilson cannot be "fit" at this point into other nearby Wilson families with surety, but the fact that he is not list among the chronological children, and is instead listed after Mary Hiler, suggest to me that this David was not a son of John and Margaret Hiler Wilson but a relative. He does not appear in later census records with his family or in the vicinity.

John and Margaret Hiler Wilson are both buried in the Pulaski Cemetery, Hancock County, Illinois which is just to the north of Northeast Twp, Adams County, Illinois. (Margaret died November 6, 1855 aged 59 years, 2 months and 16 days). Both are buried in Rance C, Lot 8, according to the Pulaski Cemetery records, and in that same range and lot are two children of David and Amanda Hiler Wilson...David being John's acknowledge brother. Even more revealing are the burials in Range B, Lot 13: children from both of John Wilson's marriages including Lucy Wilson Elliston (first marriage), and America Wilson Rose and Sarah Wilson Combs, both daughters from the second marriage. Thus at least three of the children of John and Sally Anderson Wilson ended up in Adams County, Illinois and are all buried in the same cemetery, in a combination of two plots. This cemetery burial placement in my most solid piece of evidence as to the identification of John Wilson and his two wives.

Children by first wife Sally Anderson:

1.  Lucy Wilson was born circa 1810 (aged 27 years, 10 months and 9 days on August 19, 1837 when she died; she is buried in the same plot in the Pulaski Cemetery (Hancock County, Illinois) as her half-sisters, America Wilson Rose and Sarah Wilson Combs. Lucy married Hiram Elliston on January 27, 1829 in Morgan County, Illinois; they are listed on the 1830 census there with one son, probably John B. Elliston, born 1830. The Ellistons are also from the Grant County, Kentucky ara. Hiram married second, Mrs. James Custer Wilson Stormer whose first husband, Isaac Wilson (son of James and Bridget Custer Wilson) had died before 1827, Jane had married second, Samuel Stormer, December 23, 1828 Morgan County, Illinois. He died 1830.

2. Betsy Wilson was born between 1811-1816 but she doesn't appear on the 1830 census with her parents in Morgan County, Illinois. An Elizabeth Wilson married a James Wilson on June 10, 1830 in Morgan County and could possibly be the parents of the as yet unidentified David Wilson aged 18 years living with John and Margaret Hiler Wilson, but this is conjecture. The identify of the Elizabeth and James Wilson were married to each other in 1830 has not been established.

3. David Wilson was born 1817 (age 52 years, 8 months, 17 days) on October 25, 1869 at the time of his death; age 33 years in 1850 census and age 44 years on the 1860 census). He married Amanda Hiler, perhaps a relative of his father's second wife Margaret Hiler? David and Amanda were married February 23, 1837 in Adams County, Illinois and resided 1840-50-60- in Augusta Twp, Hancock County, Illinois. John and Margaret Hiler Wilson deeded land to David Wilson on September 2, 1837 in Hancock County. In 1870 David and Amanda are residing in Northeast Twp., Adams County, Illinois. David is buried in the Pulaski Cemetery as is his wife who died August 26 1897, age 77 years. She had married secondly Samuel Hinkson on May 19, 1870 in Adams County; Samuel was killed by his stepson William Wilson on September 16, 1879 when Samuel was 69 years, 2 months, and 18 days. William Wilson was adjudged to be insane at the time and committed to the hospital at Jacksonville, Illinois. The Hinksons have many Wilson interconnection and are from Bourbon County, Kentucky.

4. John A(nderson?) Wilson was born circa 1818 in Kentucky (age 69 years at death March 2, 1888); age 29/1850; 41 years in 1860; age 52 years in 1870 and age 62 years in 1880). John and Margaret Hiler Wilson deeded land in Hancock County, Illinois to John A. Wilson on May 29, 1840. John A. Wilson married Eliza Jane Wilson (she born April 15, 1818 Grant County Kentucky, died January 26, 1902 age 83 years, 9 months, 11 days), daughter of Robert and Rachel Jump Wilson of Grant County. They were married February 1, 1838 in Adams County, Illinois. The family is living in Augusta Twp., Hancock County, Illinois on the 1850-60-70-80 census and both are buried in the Pulaski Cemetery. The GSA pension records for a son of this couple, Robert Perry Wilson (1844-1920), Co. K., 119th Illinois Infantry (Civil War), provided one of the great clues to this family in that testifying as to the validity of Robert Perry Wilson's claim for a military pension, was Benjamin Wilson (1848-1918), he a son of David and Amanda Hiler Wilson was noted in this statement: (1) "was borned within 1/2 mile of Robert (Perry) Wilson, grew up int he same locality. Known him when he enlisted...his father and mine were brothers...." his father and mine were brothers  ..(emphasis added). In addition, said Robert Perry Wilson testified as to the Civil War pension claim of James G. Wilson, son of John and Margaret Hiler Wilson and noted on his statement that (he, Robert P.) thinks James G. is a "half-uncle."

James G. Wilson, son of John and Margaret Hiler Wilson, his second wife. Robert Perry Wilson, grandson of John and Sally Anderson Wilson, his first wife. Thus the relation is that of being a "half-uncle."

Children by the second wife, Margaret Hiler:

5. America Wilson (shown by the census to be born between 1820-1825) and living with the family in the 1830 census but gone by 1840. America Wilson married Adam G. Rose on February 20, 1480 in Adams County, Illinois and had two children: Margaret Rose (named perhaps for her mother Margaret Hiler?) and Mary Jane. In an earlier article, I had thought this America Wilson Rose to be a daughter of Robert and Rachel Jump Wilson, but her burial in Range B., Lot 23 of the Pulaski Cemetery along with Lucy Wilson Elliston and Sarah Wilson Combs, I believe places her instead as a daughter of John and margaret Hiler Wilson and there is "room" in this family for her. America Wilson Rose died in 1844, age 20. Her husband remarried on May 25 1845 in Hancock County, Illinois to Dora/Dorinda Wilson (1825-1900) who is a daughter of Robert and Rachel Jump Wilson.

6. Daughter born between 1820-1825, living with family in 1830 census but gone by 1840, either deceased or married. I have not been able to identify her.

7. Sarah Ann Wilson born 1827 in Illinois, (age 23 years, 2 months at death in May 1851); age 23/1850, probably in Morgan County. In the 1850 census, she and her husband Robert Combs (married January 16, 1845 in Adams County, Illinois) are living next door to her parents, John and Margaret Hiler Wilson. The Pulaski Cemetery records indicate she was the "daughter of Uncle Jackey Wilson". Sarah's daughter Eliza Combs, age 14 years is living in the 1860 census with child #10 below, Margaret Wilson Stormer. In the 1870 census, Sarah's son Berlonzi Combs (age 20 Illinois) is living in the household of his half-uncle, Hiram Elliston and his second wife.

8. William M. Wilson was born in September 1829 (age 31/1860), (40/1870), (51/1880), (September 1828 age 71 years/1900). He married Mary Ann Shields (born April 1840), she a daughter of William H. Shields and Sarah A. Wilson and hence a granddaughter to Robert and Rachel Jump Wilson. They were married January 29, 1857 in Adams County, Illinois. William had married first Eudocia Ann Hiler on February 19, 1851 in Hancock County, she died December 15, 1852 age 20 years, 3 months, 24 days, and is buried in the same Pulaski Cemetery plot as her husband's parents. William and Mary Ann Shields Wilson were living in 1860 in Chili Twp, Hancock County, Illinois but had removed to Missouri by 1877 when their son Carl was born there. They are on the 1880 and 1900 census for Osage Twp., Vernon County, Missouri. Two of their infant children are also buried in the Pulaski Cemetery.

9. Cornelius J. Wilson born 1831, was unmarried living with his parents in 1850. He was age 35 years and living on the 1856 Appanoose County, Iowa state census but no further record of him has been found. "Cornelius" is a Hiler family name.

10. Margaret Ann Wilson was born September 16, 1834 in Adams County, Illinois according to a biographical sketch of her husband John Stormer in the History of Adams County, Illinois, page 874. She had married John Stormer on April 3, 1851 in Adams County, Illinois. John Stormer himself was a relative, the son of Samuel and Jane Custer Stormer and Jane Custer was a Wilson descendant. Margaret died August 10, 1909 age 71 years, 10 months, 24 days and is buried in the Pulaski Cemetery; she had three children, but all died unmarried.

11. James G. Wilson was born April 4, 1838 in Adams County, Illinois and died February 3, 1911 in Augusta, Hancock County, Illinois, age 72. He was never married and lived in Vernon County, Missouri for 20 years after the Civil War, but then returned to Illinois to live with his sister Margaret Stormer. He was a Civil War veteran, serving with Co. G., 7th Missouri Cavalry and relative Robert Perry Wilson called him a "half-uncle" in James' pension application.

In providing this WILSON sketch, I am trying to document a relationship among two groups of Wilson families from the north-central Kentucky vicinity, all with ties to Pennsylvania. The first grouping includes Thomas and Abigail Points Wilson; Robert and Rachel Jump Wilson, "Indian Jack" John Wilson Jr. and companion (but not wife) Abigail Points, Ralph and Mary Points Wilson, and a second John Wilson, wife not proven but perhaps Mary Palsgrove. Thomas/Abigail and John/Mary eventually removed to Lee County, Iowa and northeast Missouri. "Indian Jack" and Ralph Wilson and Robert Wilson's descendants removed to west-central Illinois and later on westward.

The second "grouping" of WILSON's who often times show up in the same localities and intermarry with member of the "first grouping" above are the descendants of David and Martha Wilson, he dying in Harrison County, Kentucky in 1821 leaving a will. At least six of their children or descendants "show up" in either northeast Missouri or west-central Illinois and in some cases both: James and Bridget Custer Wilson; William and Elizabeth Wilson Custer; Samuel and Nancy Wilson Hinkson; John and Salley Anderson Wilson; Ralph and Patsy Wilson Wilson; and William and Deborah Custer Wilson.

Researched by Janet Pease
10310 W. 62nd Place, #202
Arvada, Colorado 80004
Used with permission
Published in Footsteps of the Past, March 23, 2002

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